Method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system

ABSTRACT

A method of gaming in a gaming system comprising: generating a game outcome for a game round of a game having a plurality of winning outcomes associated with respective ones of a plurality of designated initial prize amounts; evaluating the game outcome to determine whether to make an award for one or more winning outcomes such that if no award is made there is a non-winning outcome; and making a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount associated with at least one of the winning outcomes in response to a non-winning game outcome, whereby an increased amount may be won in a subsequent game round.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application relates to and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/235,903, filed on Aug. 21, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system.

BACKGROUND

Many gaming machines which implement wagering games employ set prizes (sometimes expressed as set amounts per credit bet) for particular winning outcomes. For example, the winning outcomes may be particular hands in video poker or particular symbol combinations in a slot machine. Such prizes are often expressed in a prize or “pay” table advertised to the player as part of play of a game.

While such gaming systems provide players with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase player enjoyment.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming in a gaming system, including:

generating a game outcome for a game round of a game having a plurality of winning outcomes associated with respective ones of a plurality of designated initial prize amounts;

evaluating the game outcome to determine whether to make an award for one or more winning outcomes such that if no award is made there is a non-winning outcome; and

making a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount associated with at least one of the winning outcomes in response to a non-winning game outcome, whereby an increased amount may be won in a subsequent game round.

In an embodiment, the method includes evaluating the game outcome based on a wager placed on the game round.

In an embodiment, making a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount includes incrementing a prize pool.

In an embodiment, increasing the prize amount when the prize pool is incremented by at least a designated amount.

In an embodiment, making a contribution towards an increase of a plurality of prize amounts associated with respective ones of the winning outcomes.

In an embodiment, the method includes making an award of a current prize amount for each winning outcome for which an award is determined to be made.

In an embodiment, the method includes allocating a new initial prize amount to each winning outcomes for which an award is made.

In an embodiment, the new initial prize amount is always the same for a respective winning outcomes such that the prize amount is reset to the initial prize amount.

In an embodiment, the prize amounts are only available to a single player.

In an embodiment, the game is a card game and the winning outcomes are winning hands of the card game.

In an embodiment, the game is a spinning reel game and the winning outcomes are winning symbol combinations.

In an embodiment, the method includes initiating a game round in response to the wager.

In an embodiment, the method includes dynamically updating a prize table to reflect any change to the prize amount and displaying the updated prize table on a display.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a game controller for a gaming system including:

an outcome generator arranged to generate a game outcome for a game round of a game having a plurality of winning outcomes associated with respective ones of a plurality of designated initial prize amounts;

an outcome evaluator arranged to evaluate the game outcome to determine whether to make an award for one or more winning outcomes such that if no award is made there is a non-winning outcome; and

a contribution controller arranged to make a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount associated with at least one of the winning outcomes in response to a non-winning game outcome, whereby an increased amount may be won in a subsequent game round.

In an embodiment, the outcome evaluator evaluates the game outcome based on a wager placed on the game round.

In an embodiment, the game controller makes a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount by incrementing a prize pool.

In an embodiment, the game controller includes a prize controller arranged to increase the prize amount when the prize pool is incremented by at least a designated amount.

In an embodiment, the contribution controller is arranged to make a contribution towards an increase of a plurality of prize amounts associated with respective ones of the winning outcomes.

In an embodiment, the outcome evaluator is arranged to make an award of a current prize amount for each winning outcome for which an award is determined to be made.

In an embodiment, the prize controller is arranged to allocate a new initial prize amount to each winning outcomes for which an award is made.

In an embodiment, the new initial prize amount is always the same for a respective winning outcomes such that the prize amount is reset to the initial prize amount.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged such that the prize amounts are only available to a single player.

In an embodiment, the game is a card game and the winning outcomes are winning hands of the card game.

In an embodiment, the game is a spinning reel game and the winning outcomes are winning symbol combinations.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to initiate a game round in response to the wager.

In an embodiment, the prize controller dynamically updates a prize table to reflect any change to the prize amount and the game controller is arranged to control a display to display the updated prize table.

In an embodiment, the game controller is implemented, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system including:

a display for displaying game outcomes;

a player interface operable to initiate a game round of a game having a plurality of winning outcomes associated with respective ones of a plurality of designated initial prize amounts; and

a game controller arranged to:

-   -   generate a game outcome;     -   evaluate the game outcome to determine whether to make an award         for one or more winning outcomes such that if no award is made         there is a non-winning outcome; and     -   cause a contribution to be made towards an increase of a prize         amount associated with at least one of the winning outcomes in         response to a non-winning game outcome, whereby an increased         amount may be won in a subsequent game round.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to evaluate the game outcome based on a wager placed on the game round.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to make a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount by incrementing a prize pool.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to increase the prize amount when the prize pool is incremented by at least a designated amount.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to make a contribution towards an increase of a plurality of prize amounts associated with respective ones of the winning outcomes.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to make an award of a current prize amount for each winning outcome for which an award is determined to be made.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to allocate a new initial prize amount to each winning outcomes for which an award is made.

In an embodiment, the new initial prize amount is always the same for a respective winning outcomes such that the prize amount is reset to the initial prize amount.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to make the prize amounts are only available to a single player.

In an embodiment, the game is a card game and the winning outcomes are winning hands of the card game.

In an embodiment, the game is a spinning reel game and the winning outcomes are winning symbol combinations.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to initiate a game round in response to the wager.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to dynamically update a prize table to reflect any change to the prize amount and displaying the updated prize table on a display.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a gaming machine including:

a display for displaying game outcomes;

a game play mechanism including one or more input devices operable by a player to initiate a game round of a game having a plurality of winning outcomes associated with respective ones of a plurality of designated initial prize amounts; and

a game controller including a processor and a memory storing program code which when executed in response to initiation of a game round, causes the game controller to:

-   -   generate a game outcome for the game round;     -   evaluate the game outcome based on award data stored in the         memory to determine whether to make an award to the player for         one or more winning outcomes such that if no award is made there         is a non-winning outcome; and     -   cause a contribution to be made towards an increase of a prize         amount associated with at least one of the winning outcomes in         response to a non-winning game outcome, whereby an increased         amount may be won in a subsequent game round.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed implements the above method.

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a tangible computer readable medium including the above program code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system;

FIG. 6 is a further block diagram of a gaming system; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the following discloses example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus including, among other components, software executed on hardware, it should be noted that such methods and apparatus are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these hardware and software components could be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the following describes example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus, the examples provided are not the only way to implement such methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in an at least one example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, etc., storing the software and/or firmware.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller arranged to implement a game where for non-winning outcomes a contribution is made towards an increase of a prize amount of at least one prize such that the player's losing outcomes result in increased prizes over time. In an example, only a specific player can win the increased prizes.

General Construction of Gaming System

The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components to implement the game are present in a player operable gaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components to implement the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components to implement the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thick client” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Irrespective of the form, the gaming system has several core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the input/output components for the player to enter instructions to play the game and observe the game outcomes.

Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, a game play mechanism 56 including one or more input devices that enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place a wager), and one or more speakers 58.

The game controller 60 is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play rules are stored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. Herein the term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server.

A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which are displayed representations of a game 16 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. Other gaming machines may configure for ticket in such that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker. A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. In some embodiments, the player marketing module may provide an additional credit mechanism, either by transferring credits to the gaming machine from credits stored on the player tracking device or by transferring credits from a player account in data communication with the player marketing module.

A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.

The display 14 shown in FIG. 2 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 14, or of a different type.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine of FIG. 2.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor 102 mounted on a circuit board. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with the processor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a player interface 120 includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101 including one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107 (which provide a game play mechanism), a card and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted based on the specific implementation. For example, while buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and initiate a play of a game any input device that enables the player to input game play instructions may be used. For example, in some gaming machines a mechanical handle is uses to initiate a play of the game.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a bonus controller, central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, central controller, server or database. In embodiments employing a player marketing module, communications over a network may be via player marketing module—i.e. the player marketing module may be in data communication with one or more of the above devices and communicate with it on behalf of the gaming machine.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a mass storage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices 106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller 101.

FIG. 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arranged in three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in FIG. 5, are connected to the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on the rules, guidelines, preferences, and/or requirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gaming machines are illustrated in FIG. 5, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. For example, the displays 204 may be associated with one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material.

In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.

In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. Other client/server configurations are possible, and further details of a client/server architecture can be found in WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor management server 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devices connected to the network.

The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games based on the terminals.

Further Detail of Gaming System

The game implemented with the gaming system can take a number of different forms, for example, card games such as poker, spinning reel game, dice games or ball games. Herein the gaming system is described predominantly in relation to a video poker card game, however, description is also provided of how the gaming system can provide a spinning reel game in order to provide an indication of how a skilled person can modify the gaming system to accommodate other games. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other card games can also be employed.

The player operates the game play mechanism 56 to place a wager which is deducted from the credit meter stored as meter data 644 in memory 64 and from which their entitlement to a win or wins in the game can be determined The win entitlement which will be evaluated for this play of the game. Placing the wager, or other operation of the game play mechanism 56 (such as pressing a spin or deal button in a spinning reel or card game), initiates a play of the game. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player's win entitlement will vary from game to game dependent on player selections and the type of game.

In one example of video poker, the player places a wager and is dealt five cards selected by the game controller of the gaming system from a standard 52-card pack. The wager can be a base amount or a multiple of the base amount, accordingly the extent of the variation of the win entitlement is the amount wagered which controls how many multiple of the prize amount in the pay table the player is entitled to win. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, only limited wager amounts or a single wager amount may be available. The player has one opportunity to discard any number of unwanted cards, and is dealt an equal number of replacement cards from the deck. Typically, the player indicates which cards they want to keep by pressing a hold button associated with the cards to be kept, with the other cards discarded and replaced. If after any re-deal, the player then has a hand which is in a prize table, the game controller then pays the player according to according to the specific hand. If the player's final hand is not in the pay table, the wager is lost.

The pay table includes a plurality of winning outcomes and may start, for example, with a pair of jacks or better, but the payouts may vary from game to game. The top payout is typically reserved for a royal straight flush.

In spinning reel games, typical winning outcomes are winning combinations of symbols specified in a pay table. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player's entitlement to be affected not only by the amount they wager but also selections they make (i.e. the nature of the wager) such that a winning outcome will often not only need to occur but coincide with a player selection. For example, a player's win entitlement may be based on how many lines they play in each game—e.g. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection). That is, a winning outcome will need to occur on a line played by the player for the player to receive the award.

In many spinning reel games, the player's win entitlement is not strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays are awarded independently of a player's selection of pay lines and are an inherent part of the win entitlement.

Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play. Such games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each displayed symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions. In other words, all symbols displayed at symbol display positions corresponding to a selected reel can be used to form symbol combinations with symbols displayed at a designated, symbol display positions of the other reels. For example, if there are five reels and three symbol display positions for each reel such that the symbol display positions include three rows of five symbol display positions, the symbols displayed in the centre row are used for non-selected reels. As a result, the total number of ways to win is determined by multiplying the number of active display positions of each reel, the active display positions being all display positions of each selected reel and the designated display position of the non-selected reels. As a result for five reels and fifteen display positions there are 243 ways to win.

In FIG. 6, the processor 62 of game controller 60 is shown implementing a number of modules based on program code and data stored in memory 64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that various of the modules could be implemented in some other way, for example by a dedicated circuit.

These modules include the outcome generator 622 which operates in response to the player's operation of game play mechanism 56. The player also initiate a play of the game and generates a game outcome for a game round of the game. The game outcome will then be evaluated by award evaluator 623. In a video poker game, the first part of forming the game outcome is to select an initial five cards from a pack of 52 cards stored as part of game rule data 641. The cards are selected at random from the pack by outcome generator 622 using random number generator 621. The selected cards are advised to the display controller 624 which causes them to be displayed on display 54 so the player can see them. The player then operates the game play mechanism 56 to select which cards are to be held and which are discarded. Any discarded cards are replaced by the outcome generator 622 randomly selecting cards from the remaining 47 cards in the deck. These are then displayed to the player on display 54 by display controller 626.

The outcome evaluator 623 compares the displayed cards to a prize table 643 to determine whether there is a winning outcome. If there is a winning outcome, the outcome evaluator 623 awards the prize by updating the win meter stored as part of meter data 643. Assuming there is no gamble function, or this is not activated by the player, the amount won is then transferred to the credit meter.

In this gaming system, when there is not a win (a “non-winning outcome”), contribution controller 624 causes a portion of the amount wagered to be added to a prize pool stored as prize pool data 642, for example 1% of the amount wagered. Contributions are not made when there is a winning outcome. Prize pool and prize table controller 625 monitors the prize pool and determines when the prize pool has reached a designated value designed around a measure of when the prize pool grown sufficiently to cover an increase to a prize amount for one or more of the prizes in the prize table. The prize pool and prize table controller 625 then dynamically updates the prize table 643. This update may be advised to the player on the display 54 and/or the player may be able to access the prize table at a time of the player's choosing by operating the player interface 50. The number and nature of the prizes which are updated will depend on the implementation. For example, only one prize may be updated, all prizes may be updated, or a subset of prizes are updated. The size and conditions for the updates to prize amounts are chosen by the game designer to achieve a desired return to player. For example, if the return to player is 95% and the odds of particular game outcomes will result in a return to player of 90% based on the initial prize amounts, then a further 5% needs to be returned by appropriate increases to prize amounts during play.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be separate prize pools for each award which is to be increased and the prize pool and prize table controller 625 may monitor each pool and increment the prize when a minimum prize display value is one.

When a prize that has been incremented is won, prize pool and prize table controller 625, sets a new prize amount which may be the same, lower or higher than the initial amount, for example by calculating a new amount based on the current prize pool or returning it to a designated initial value.

In a spinning reel game, the gaming system can implement the invention in analogous manner with the outcome generator selecting symbols for display from a plurality of symbol sets corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels. The symbol sets can specify a sequence of symbols for each reel such that the outcome generator can select all of the symbols by selecting a stopping position in the sequence. The displayed symbols on active win lines or the like are then evaluated to determine whether they correspond to a symbol combination(s) in the pay table. Winning and non-winning outcomes are treated in the same manner describe above.

An example a method of gaming is illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 7. FIG. 7 depicts an example flow diagram representative of processes that may be implemented using, for example, computer readable instructions that may be used to facilitate game play. The example processes of FIG. 7 may be performed using a processor, a controller and/or any other suitable processing device. For example, the example processes of FIG. 7 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), and/or a random-access memory (RAM). As used herein, the term tangible computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage and to exclude propagating signals. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes of FIG. 7 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a cache, or any other storage media in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable medium and to exclude propagating signals.

Alternatively, some or all of the example processes of FIG. 7 may be implemented using any combination(s) of application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)), discrete logic, hardware, firmware, etc. Also, some or all of the example processes of FIG. 7 may be implemented manually or as any combination(s) of any of the foregoing techniques, for example, any combination of firmware, software, discrete logic and/or hardware. Further, although the example processes of FIG. 7 are described with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 7, other methods of implementing the processes of FIG. 7 may be employed. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, sub-divided, or combined. Additionally, any or all of the example processes of FIG. 7 may be performed sequentially and/or in parallel by, for example, separate processing threads, processors, devices, discrete logic, circuits, etc.

The method 700 is summarised in FIG. 7 and involves initiating 710 a game round, generating 720 a game outcome, and evaluating 730 the game outcome. It is then determined 740 whether or not the game outcome was a winning outcome. For winning outcomes, prizes are awarded 750 and reset 760 (if necessary). For non-winning outcomes, the prize pool is increased 770 and it is determined 780 whether to increase the prize amount. When the prize amount is to be increased, the method involves dynamically updating the pay table to show the relevant updated amount.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Spinning Reel Game, Incrementing a Prize Pool on Every Game, but Only Displaying the Increment When Minimums are Achieved

In this game, 1% of all monies bet are accrued to a prize pool. The prize pool is allocated to some of the advertised prizes. The amount allocated to the prizes is different for each prize. E.g. 5 Aces is increased by 30% of the prize pool (e.g., 0.3% of turnover), 5 Kings and 5 queens are each increased by 20% of the prize pool (e.g., 0.4% of turnover) and 5 jacks, 10 and 9 are each increased by 10% (e.g., 0.3% of turnover). The increment is shown to the player on a dynamically changing prize screen whenever the increment amount reaches the equivalent of a full credit value

Spin 1

Player is playing a spinning reel game. Each credit is worth 5 c. The player is playing 5 lines of a maximum possible 20 lines and betting 1 credit per play from a maximum possible 10 credits per play. Total bet is 5 credits=25 c.

The prize pool is incremented by 0.25 cents.

This is allocated as

-   0.075 cents to 5* Aces, -   0.05 cents to 5* Kings, -   0.05 cents to 5* Queens, -   0.025 cents to 5* Jacks, -   0.025 cents to 5*10 and -   0.025 cents to 5*9.

The accumulated prize pool for each prize now stands at

-   5* Aces is 5.25 cents -   5* Kings is 4.05 cents -   5* Queens is 5.05 cents -   5* Jacks is 2.025 cents -   5*10 is 1.025 cents -   5*9 is 2.05 cents

The outcome is a win on line 3 for 2*9 which is not an incrementing prize—player is paid a prize and advertised prizes remain constant

Spin 2

Betting as per spin 1 and the accumulated prize pool now stands at

-   5* Aces is 5.325 cents -   5* Kings is 4.10 cents -   5* Queens is 5.10 cents -   5* Jacks is 2.05 cents -   5*10 is 1.05 cents -   5*9 is 2.075 cents

The outcome is no win on any lines—player is paid 0 credits, and the prize for 5* Aces is now incremented by 1 credit and the prize for 5* Queens is incremented by 1 credit and the prize pools are reduced for queens and aces

Spin 3

Betting as per spin 1 and the accumulated prize pool now stands at

-   5* Aces is 0.4 cents -   5* Kings is 4.15 cents -   5* Queens is 0.15 cents -   5* Jacks is 2.075 cents -   5*10 is 1.075 cents -   5*9 is 2.1 cents

The outcome is a win on line 1 of 5* queens. Player is paid the advertised prize for 5* queens which is the standard prize plus the accumulated prize pool which has been added to the standard prize. The prize for 5* Queens now returns to the standard value but the accumulated prize pool for queens remains at 0.15 cents.

Example 2 Spinning Reel Game, Incrementing a Prize Pool for Each Non-Winning Line

Similar to the above example, however the prize pool is incremented for each non-winning line.

The player is playing 5 lines at 1 credit per line on 5 c=1 credit. Total bet is 25 cents.

Prize pool is allocated to only one prize namely 5* Aces.

Spin 1

The outcome is a win on line 3 for 2*9 which is not an incrementing prize. The player is paid a prize. Lines 1, 2, 4 and 5 had non-wins, so the prize pool is incremented by 0.01% of the bet on lines 1, 2, 4 and 5, so prize pool is incremented by 0.01% of 20 c=0.2 cents.

Prize pool for 5* Aces increments to 5.1 cents which is 1 credit plus 0.1 cent. Because there is a non-win on lines 1, 2, 4 and 5, the prize for 5* Aces is increased by 1 credit.

Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the system. It will be appreciated that at least part of the method will be implemented digitally by a processor. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by the processor.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, in particular it will be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments and/or aspects without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. For example, it will be apparent that certain features of the invention can be combined to form further embodiments. The present embodiments and aspects are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments are described above with reference to the drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methods and programs of the present invention. However, describing the invention with drawings should not be construed as imposing on the invention any limitations associated with features shown in the drawings. The present invention contemplates methods, systems and program products on any electronic device and/or machine-readable media suitable for accomplishing its operations. Certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using an existing computer processor and/or by a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwired system, for example.

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions. 

1. A method of gaming in a gaming system comprising: generating a game outcome for a game round of a game having a plurality of winning outcomes associated with respective ones of a plurality of designated initial prize amounts; evaluating the game outcome to determine whether to make an award for one or more winning outcomes such that if no award is made there is a non-winning outcome; and making a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount associated with at least one of the winning outcomes in response to a non-winning game outcome, whereby an increased amount may be won in a subsequent game round.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising evaluating the game outcome based on a wager placed on the game round.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein making a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount comprises incrementing a prize pool.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising increasing the prize amount when the prize pool is incremented by at least a designated amount.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising making a contribution towards an increase of a plurality of prize amounts associated with respective ones of the winning outcomes.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising making an award of a current prize amount for each winning outcome for which an award is determined to be made.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 6, comprising allocating a new initial prize amount to each winning outcomes for which an award is made.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the new initial prize amount is always the same for a respective winning outcomes such that the prize amount is reset to the initial prize amount.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prize amounts are only available to a single player.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the game is a card game and the winning outcomes are winning hands of the card game.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the game is a spinning reel game and the winning outcomes are winning symbol combinations.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 2, comprising initiating a game round in response to the wager.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising dynamically updating a prize table to reflect any change to the prize amount and displaying the updated prize table on a display.
 14. A game controller for a gaming system, comprising: an outcome generator arranged to generate a game outcome for a game round of a game having a plurality of winning outcomes associated with respective ones of a plurality of designated initial prize amounts; an outcome evaluator arranged to evaluate the game outcome to determine whether to make an award for one or more winning outcomes such that if no award is made there is a non-winning outcome; and a contribution controller arranged to make a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount associated with at least one of the winning outcomes in response to a non-winning game outcome, whereby an increased amount may be won in a subsequent game round.
 15. A game controller as claimed in claim 14, wherein the outcome evaluator evaluates the game outcome based on a wager placed on the game round.
 16. A game controller as claimed in claim 14, wherein the game controller makes a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount by incrementing a prize pool.
 17. A game controller as claimed in claim 16, comprising a prize controller arranged to increase the prize amount when the prize pool is incremented by at least a designated amount.
 18. A game controller as claimed in claim 14, wherein the contribution controller is arranged to make a contribution towards an increase of a plurality of prize amounts associated with respective ones of the winning outcomes.
 19. A game controller as claimed in claim 14, wherein the outcome evaluator is arranged to make an award of a current prize amount for each winning outcome for which an award is determined to be made.
 20. A game controller as claimed in claim 19, comprising a prize controller arranged to increase the prize amount when the prize pool is incremented by at least a designated amount, wherein the prize controller is arranged to allocate a new initial prize amount to each winning outcomes for which an award is made.
 21. A game controller as claimed in claim 20, wherein the new initial prize amount is always the same for a respective winning outcomes such that the prize amount is reset to the initial prize amount.
 22. A game controller as claimed in claim 14, arranged such that the prize amounts are only available to a single player.
 22. A game controller as claimed in claim 14, wherein the game is a card game and the winning outcomes are winning hands of the card game.
 23. A game controller as claimed in claim 14, wherein the game is a spinning reel game and the winning outcomes are winning symbol combinations.
 24. A game controller as claimed in claim 14, arranged to initiate a game round in response to the wager.
 25. A game controller as claimed in claim 17, wherein the prize controller dynamically updates a prize table to reflect any change to the prize amount and the game controller is arranged to control a display to display the updated prize table.
 26. A game controller as claimed in claim 14, implemented, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.
 27. A gaming system comprising: a display for displaying game outcomes; a player interface operable to initiate a game round of a game having a plurality of winning outcomes associated with respective ones of a plurality of designated initial prize amounts; and a game controller arranged to: generate a game outcome; evaluate the game outcome to determine whether to make an award for one or more winning outcomes such that if no award is made there is a non-winning outcome; and cause a contribution to be made towards an increase of a prize amount associated with at least one of the winning outcomes in response to a non-winning game outcome, whereby an increased amount may be won in a subsequent game round.
 28. A gaming system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the game controller is arranged to evaluate the game outcome based on a wager placed on the game round.
 29. A gaming system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the game controller is arranged to make a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount by incrementing a prize pool.
 30. A gaming system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the game controller is arranged to increase the prize amount when the prize pool is incremented by at least a designated amount.
 31. A gaming system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the game controller is arranged to make a contribution towards an increase of a plurality of prize amounts associated with respective ones of the winning outcomes.
 32. A gaming system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the game controller is arranged to make an award of a current prize amount for each winning outcome for which an award is determined to be made.
 33. A gaming system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the game controller is arranged to allocate a new initial prize amount to each winning outcomes for which an award is made.
 34. A gaming system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the new initial prize amount is always the same for a respective winning outcomes such that the prize amount is reset to the initial prize amount.
 35. A gaming system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the game controller is arranged to make the prize amounts are only available to a single player.
 36. A gaming system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the game is a card game and the winning outcomes are winning hands of the card game.
 37. A gaming system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the game is a spinning reel game and the winning outcomes are winning symbol combinations.
 38. A gaming system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the game controller is arranged to initiate a game round in response to the wager.
 39. A gaming system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the game controller is arranged to dynamically update a prize table to reflect any change to the prize amount and displaying the updated prize table on a display.
 40. A gaming machine comprising: a display for displaying game outcomes; a game play mechanism comprising one or more input devices operable by a player to initiate a game round of a game having a plurality of winning outcomes associated with respective ones of a plurality of designated initial prize amounts; and a game controller comprising a processor and a memory storing program code which when executed in response to initiation of a game round, causes the game controller to: generate a game outcome for the game round; evaluate the game outcome based on award data stored in the memory to determine whether to make an award to the player for one or more winning outcomes such that if no award is made there is a non-winning outcome; and cause a contribution to be made towards an increase of a prize amount associated with at least one of the winning outcomes in response to a non-winning game outcome, whereby an increased amount may be won in a subsequent game round.
 41. A tangible computer readable medium comprising program code which when executed by a gaming system implements a method of gaming comprising: generating a game outcome for a game round of a game having a plurality of winning outcomes associated with respective ones of a plurality of designated initial prize amounts; evaluating the game outcome to determine whether to make an award for one or more winning outcomes such that if no award is made there is a non-winning outcome; and making a contribution towards an increase of a prize amount associated with at least one of the winning outcomes in response to a non-winning game outcome, whereby an increased amount may be won in a subsequent game round. 